Michael Healy-Rae
Question:246. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the status of a bus service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18925/23]
View answerSchool Transport
Questions (246)
Written answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time are now accommodated on services where such services are in operation for the 2022/2023 school year.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Parents of a child wishing to avail of school transport services are required to apply on-line on Bus Éireann website at www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport
For 2023/24 school year, the closing date for new applications is Friday 28 April 2023. Any new applications made after the closing date are considered late applications and families are not guaranteed a seat. The Bus Éireann family portal will be open to accept payments/medical card details from the 3 April 2023 until 9 June 2023. Payment made after the deadline date will be deemed late and a seat may not be available to families at that stage.
In relation to the service that has been established to cater for Ukrainian pupils attending this school. Bus Éireann have confirmed that the vehicle is at capacity at present and is a 16 seater minibus. As mentioned above, all children who are eligible for school transport and applied and requested a ticket before the closing date for the 2022/2023 school year, are now accommodated on transport services where such services are in operation.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (247)
Sorca Clarke
Question:247. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of notices served under section 25 of the Education Act 1998 in each of the years 2018 to 2022, and to date in 2023, and the number that referred to students with an additional education need and or a requirement to have access and support of an ASD unit. [18930/23]
View answerWritten answers
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise that my department is committed, in conjunction with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
Over the last two to three years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.
There are a total of 2,537 special classes opened nationwide. Of the 2,537 special classes, there are 1798 at primary level and 739 at post primary level.
As both Minister Foley and I announced recently on 12 April, 2 new special schools are being established for the 2023/2024 school year - one in Carrigtwohill, east Cork and one in the Dublin 7 area - with additional capacity being provided in 11 other special schools.
It is intended that places in the new special schools will be prioritised for children who have no offer of a special school place for the 2023/24 school year. Details in relation to the location of the new special schools, the admission process and the number of places to be offered for 2023/24 in each new special school will be confirmed very shortly.
The NCSE will work closely with the families of the children and young people concerned to assist them in accessing the new places which will become available during the 2023/24 school year.
Planning for the establishment and opening of the new special schools will begin immediately. This will include a determination of the size of the school required so that the necessary staff recruitment, school policy development and related arrangements can be put in train. This will also include ongoing communication with the families concerned.
For the 2023/2024 school year, the NCSE have also sanctioned 218 new special classes nationwide. Further additional classes will be sanctioned in the coming weeks.
The Minister has powers under Section 37A of the Education Act to direct a school to provide additional places but this power is only used as a last resort and where all reasonable efforts have failed.
This legal power to compel schools to open new special classes is only used where the following criteria apply:
• there is established need for additional places in an area
• it is considered that the schools involved in the Section 37 process have capacity to open the additional classes and
• all reasonable efforts have been made to support these schools in making the required provision.
The legislation has been used twice to date; initially in the Dublin 15 area in 2019 and more recently in the South Dublin area in 2020 in respect of primary school provision only.
The published documents relating to the two occasions where the Section 37A process was used are available at the following links: gov.ie - Section 37A Notices 2019 - Dublin North (www.gov.ie) and gov.ie - Section 37A Notices 2020 – Dublin South - Notices issued on 26 June 2020 (www.gov.ie).
It is important to note that where possible, children with special educational needs should be accommodated in mainstream education, but where the needs of the children are greater, special classes and indeed special schools are provided. Every effort must be made where special classes exist within a mainstream school to integrate the children and young people in this class with their peers in mainstream classes.
I want to reassure you also that my department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an appropriate education.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (248)
Sorca Clarke
Question:248. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of students with additional educational needs that were not provided with transport for the 2022-2023 school year. [18931/23]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,300 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 4,500 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
The purpose of the School Transport Scheme for children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
To date over 5,000 new SEN applications have been received for the 2022/23 school year and over 4,800 have been facilitated on services this year. It should be noted that of the new applications still being processed for the current school year, the majority of these applications have been received in recent months.
Any remaining applications will be catered for through a mix of new services (some being individual), children being accommodated on existing services where capacity exists, extensions of existing routes and grants to families.
Bus Éireann engage with families where transport has been sanctioned but where there are delays in sourcing a service. A Special Transport Interim Grant has been offered to families of children with special educational needs who, following the application process, are eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme and are awaiting a School Transport service to be put in place.
The interim grant is offered from the date of application to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until a transport service is ready to commence.
Applications for SEN transport are received on a year round basis. Where a new service is sanctioned, this means a procurement / vetting process is required, while in many instances the school is also sanctioned to employ a transport escort and this necessarily takes time to put in place. By accepting applications year round, the Department can ensure that children with special educational needs receive the transport they require.
To ensure the efficient delivery of services for children on Special Educations Needs school transport, Bus Éireann assesses each application to identify the options available. Where children can be facilitated on an existing service, applications are processed immediately and arrangements put in place with families involved.
Where a new service has to be established there is a lead in period for this process that includes issues such as:
• route design and procurement including contract award.
• in many instances a School Bus Escort is required for the child’s safe transport to school and it can take time for the school to source a suitable person which can impact the start date.
While the closing date for receipt of applications for school transport in general is the last Friday in April in any given year for the following school year, the Department accepts applications all year round for the SEN transport scheme.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (249)
Sorca Clarke
Question:249. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the schools that have been given revised timelines for the completion of building works, given the recent announcement of the restarting of school building projects; and the revised timelines per school, in tabular form. [18932/23]
View answerWritten answers
As you are aware an agreement was secured to guarantee and support the roll-out and continuation of my Department’s ambitious school building programme.
The agreement reached on 5 April is facilitating the continued roll-out of urgently required school building projects in both mainstream and special education settings, including the 58 projects that were temporarily paused due to capital funding pressures.
It is best for communications to be done at individual school level, this is the approach we have taken. Officials from my Department have updated each of the 58 schools in relation to the formal arrangements and next steps in respect of the delivery of their individual projects.
My Department has a proven track record of delivery, with over 180 projects completed last year within a challenging environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
This year alone, in excess of 300 school building projects are currently under construction, including 40 new school buildings and 260 projects at existing schools. There are also circa. 1,000 other school building projects being progressed through various stages of development. My Department also continues to support schools with the successful integration of over 15,000 Ukrainian students within our school system.
The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
School Staff
Questions (250)
Sorca Clarke
Question:250. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of teaching posts vacant per county in national, primary and secondary schools, per county, in tabular form. [18940/23]
View answerWritten answers
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for individual school authorities, subject to procedures agreed upon under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). The Department does not currently collate data on vacant posts in schools per county.
The recruitment of teachers is a priority area of action for the Department given the importance of ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have available to them qualified, engaged, and supportive teachers to support them in their learning.
The Department is undertaking a comprehensive programme to support the supply of teachers, including:
• Additional primary substitute teacher supply panel posts have been provided in locations where significant challenges in sourcing substitution continue. This brings the total to 610 posts on 151 panels covering more than 2,840 schools, including the large majority of primary schools in Dublin.
• As a temporary measure post primary teachers can provide additional hours substitute cover in the subject they are qualified to teach. The number of additional hours that can be taught per term has been increased from 20 to 35 for the remainder of the 2022/23 school year.
• For 2022/23, higher education institutions have introduced flexibility in the delivery of initial teacher education programmes to allow student teachers to provide more substitute cover.
• The Teaching Council introduced regulations allowing for the registration of 3rd and 4th year undergraduate student teachers under registration Route 5 (Student Teachers). More than 2,700 student teachers have registered under Route 5 to date. This initiative supports the employment of student teachers to cover substitutable vacancies.
• A waiver of abatement for retired teachers returning to teach for up to 50 days in each of the three calendar years, 2021 to 2023 inclusive has been agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A communications campaign has also been launched to encourage retired teachers to take up short-term substitute positions.
• For the 2022/23 school year, job-sharing teachers may be employed to work as substitutes during the period they are rostered off duty and the limits on substitute work applying to teachers on career break have been suspended.
Measures targeted at supporting the long term supply needs of the system have also been put in place
• At primary level, I recently approved 610 additional places on ITE programmes over the next two academic years (2023/24 and 2024/25).
• At post primary level, the Department has increased the number of places on teacher upskilling programmes in mathematics, Spanish and physics. The programmes are delivered outside of class time and are offered at no cost to the teacher. Approximately 170 places were provided in the first intake across the three programmes with an increase in places to over 300 in 2023.
• A new programme for post primary teachers to up-skill in Irish is planned for commencement in 2023/2024. The Department is also considering additional upskilling programmes in other priority subject areas.
• The Department introduced a scheme to allow post-primary schools to share teachers, the aim of which is to recruit teachers in high-demand subjects and give teachers a full-time teaching contract. It is expected that a pilot of the scheme will be introduced in a small number of locations for the 2023/24 school year.
• Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) who qualify outside Ireland may now complete induction (Droichead) in Ireland under a new measure implemented by the Teaching Council. This measure seeks to enhance the supply of NQTs available to schools.
• The Department provided details of the staffing arrangements for the 2023/24 school year to schools before the end of January. This will facilitate schools to begin recruitment for the 2023/24 school year earlier than in 2022.
In addition to the above measures, the Teaching Transforms campaign continues to promote the teaching profession and encourage students to follow a career in teaching. The campaign uses digital, radio and video media, and is supported by a dedicated webpage, www.gov.ie/teachingtransforms. It should be noted that CAO first preference choices for post-primary teaching have increased this year by 11%.
The Department meets on a regular basis with the school management bodies and the teacher unions on this very important issue and we will continue to work intensively with all stakeholders to develop and implement creative solutions to address the teacher supply challenges for schools.
School Staff
Questions (251)
Sorca Clarke
Question:251. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of permanent teaching post contracts issued to teachers in national, primary and secondary schools in 2022, and to date in 2023. [18941/23]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy, that the Boards of Management of schools are the direct employers of teachers. My Department acts as paymaster on behalf of primary schools, voluntary secondary, community and comprehensive schools.
Once an allocation of teaching posts has been made for schools then directly recruit and employ teachers.
Accordingly, my Department does not have details of the number of permanent teaching contracts which may be offered to teachers by schools each year, or then subsequently issued by schools. My Department does, however, publish details of the number of teaching posts which are allocated to schools each year and also the number of teachers employed by schools each year.
Details of the number of teaching posts which are allocated to primary and secondary schools each year are published as part of my Departments annual key statistics information reports. These reports are available at gov.ie - Key Statistics (www.gov.ie)
Details of the number of teachers who are appointed to primary and post primary schools (excluding ETB schools) each year are published at www.gov.ie/en/publication/c97fbd-teacher-statistics/#number-of-teachers-by-gender-appointed-to-teaching-posts
As the 2022/23 school year is still underway, data for the 2022/23 school year has not yet been compiled and published.
Departmental Data
Questions (252)
Paul Donnelly
Question:252. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education the current number of live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by her Department; and the date by which study, review and research is scheduled to be completed, in tabular form. [18944/23]
View answerWritten answers
The current number of live studies, reviews and research projects in progress, undertaken or commissioned by my Department is set out in the table below.
|
Title of current study/ review / research undertaken or commissioned |
End Date |
|
OECD Review of Calculated Grades and Accredited Grades |
Q2 2023 |
|
Thematic evaluation on provision and practice in relation to Creativity in settings and schools |
Q3 2023 |
|
Thematic evaluation on provision and practice in relation to Education for Sustainable Development in setting and schools |
Q3 2023 |
|
Review Anti-bullying procedures for Primary and Post Primary schools 2013 |
Q2 2023 |
|
Review of the School Transport Scheme |
Q2 2023 |
|
Development of an evaluation framework for Teachers’ Professional Development |
Q2 2023 |
|
Section 29 Internal Review |
Q2 2023 |
|
The IPA Review of Risk Management |
Q2 2023 |
|
Review of EPSEN Act 2004 |
Q3 2023 |
|
Report on Nurture rooms |
November 2023 |
|
Enhancing the involvement of children and young people, and parents, in the school / setting inspection process |
Q4 2023 |
|
Small Schools Action Research Project |
December 2023 |
|
Evaluation of the Digital Learning Framework |
2023 |
|
Evaluation of the School Excellence Fund digital and STEM Programme |
2023 |
|
Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS 2021) |
Is due to publish 16 May 2023 |
|
National Assessment in Mathematics and English Reading (NAMER 2021) |
Mid 2023 |
|
Independent evaluation of NTRIS STAR pilot |
2024 |
|
Review of resource allocation to address educational disadvantage |
2024 |
|
Research and Evaluation Study on the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme |
End 2024 |
|
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2022) |
Publication of report due December 2023 |
|
Towards a New Literacy Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy: A Review of Literature |
To be published in April 2023 |
|
Mapping ESD related CPD for Primary and Post Primary teachers |
Q2 2023 |
|
Independent Evaluation of the City Connects Pilot Project |
October 2023 |
|
Review of Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours |
Q3 2023 |
Disadvantaged Status
Questions (253)
Sorca Clarke
Question:253. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education what funding that is available to DEIS schools to assist in meeting the costs for school trips to facilitate further learning, integration and social development. [18968/23]
View answerWritten answers
DEIS is the main policy initiative of my Department to tackle educational disadvantage at school level. Schools in the DEIS Programme are required to develop and implement three-year improvement plans as a condition of their participation in DEIS. Targets are set under key themes, such as attendance, retention, progression, literacy and numeracy, partnership, transition, well-being and examination attainment (post-primary).
My Department spends €180m annually in supporting schools in the DEIS programme, of which, over €20m is allocated to schools by way of a DEIS grant.
The DEIS grant should be utilised to attain the targets set in the school's three year improvement plan across the DEIS themes. It is a matter for the Board of Management of each school to allocate DEIS grant funding so that it targets those students deemed most in need. This may include allocating a proportion of the DEIS grant funding towards the cost of school trips.
State Examinations
Questions (254)
Matt Carthy
Question:254. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education when Leaving Certificate results will be published in 2023; if she will ensure that students receive their results in a timely manner to facilitate those studying away from home including those who have conditional offers to third-level institutions outside of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18979/23]
View answerWritten answers
The State Examinations Commission (SEC), has responsibility for the operation, delivery and development of the State examinations. The SEC has not confirmed a date on which the Leaving Certificate 2023 results will be issued. However, it continues to work intensively to prepare for the examinations process.
There were a number of factors that affected the timing of results of State examinations in 2022. These included a challenge in recruiting sufficient examiners, the provision of deferred examinations at Leaving Certificate for candidates who experienced illness or bereavement, and the implementation of a post-marking adjustment. For 2023, in relation to the recruitment of examiners, the SEC is undertaking a review of this issue with all of the second level stakeholders with the objective of substantially increasing the number of teachers involved. The SEC’s recruitment campaign for written examiners is ongoing and a new recruitment hub has been launched at secexaminer.ie. Also, a deferred set of examinations will be offered again this year for students who experience bereavement or serious illness arising at the time of the main examinations. I have previously stated that there would be no “cliff edge” for this year’s students in relation to grades, and this is also part of the planning ongoing for 2023 examinations.
In relation to students applying to universities abroad, in particular the EU and the UK, in 2022 there were instances where universities were seeking to have results earlier than 2 September. I wrote to my counterparts across Europe in July 2022 asking for their assistance in ensuring students were facilitated. The Department of Education also engaged directly with universities in relation to students who were in contact looking for assistance. This was met with positive responses overall and anyone who contacted the Department of Education directly with their details was facilitated and did not miss out on a place to study abroad. The same approach will be taken in 2023 if it is needed.
Child Abuse
Questions (255)
Johnny Guirke
Question:255. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education if the national school in Kells, County Meath, involving the Christian Brothers up to the year 1988, will be included in the scoping inquiry into historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19031/23]
View answerWritten answers
On 7 March 2023 the Government approved the establishment of a scoping inquiry to inform the Government response to revelations of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders. The Lead of the scoping inquiry will, having regard to the outcomes sought by survivors, make recommendations on the scope and breath of the response that could also form a template for Government responses elsewhere.
Child Abuse
Questions (256)
Johnny Guirke
Question:256. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education the number of reports received of alleged historical sexual abuse in the then Christian Brothers-run national school in Kells, County Meath, for each of the years from 1968 to 1988, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19032/23]
View answerWritten answers
The abuse of children in any setting is a heinous crime and every effort should be made to bring the perpetrator to justice through the courts system.
All reports of alleged abuse should be reported to the Gardaí.
My Department takes child protection very seriously and considers that the protection and welfare of children is a fundamental responsibility of all involved in the care and education of children.
In this regard, any concern or allegation of a child protection nature received by staff in my Department is dealt with in accordance with the Department’s Procedures for responding to Child Protection Concerns which come to the attention of staff employed by the Department of Education.
My Department does not make any judgment on the concerns which comes to its attention and ensures that the details of the concern reported to the Department, including reports which relate to alleged historical abuse, are immediately passed on to the relevant authorities, i.e. Tusla-the Child and Family Agency, An Garda Síochána and/or the school authorities as appropriate.
It is important to note that arrangements for child protection in schools have been extensively revised and extended.
The enactment of the Children First Act in 2015 led to the issue of revised Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-primary Schools in 2017, with an extensive programme of professional development for teachers and school leaders. A fundamental principle of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 is that all schools must keep pupils/students safe from harm while attending the school or while participating in school activities.
My Department plays an important role in the oversight of the child protection procedures for schools.
The Inspectorate of my Department carries out a range of inspections in all recognised schools. Schools are selected for inclusion in the broader inspection programme using a range of factors and information.
Although the Inspectorate has no role in the investigation of individual complaints about schools, all correspondence is noted and it may, together with a range of other information, be considered by the Inspectorate in planning its inspection programme.
The Inspectorate does not comment on its future planned inspection programme.
As part of the State's response to individuals experiencing distress as a result of childhood sexual abuse, a free National Counselling Service was set up which is run by the HSE and has been operating since 2000. Full details are available on:
www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/national-counselling-service/
Tusla provides support to victims of abuse through its own child protection and welfare services for children who require safety planning or are in the care of the Child and Family Agency.
My Department has record of one retrospective alleged child protection concern received in 2003 in respect of the school in question but it is not possible to confirm if it relates to the 1968-1988 period.
School Accommodation
Questions (257)
James Lawless
Question:257. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education for an update on the current position in regard to the provision for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19044/23]
View answerWritten answers
A Minister-owned school site, Coláiste Chiaráin in Leixlip, has been identified as an option for potential redevelopment to accommodate a second school. The Trustees of Coláiste Chiaráin have agreed to allow the installation of temporary interim modular accommodation to meet the urgent accommodation needs for Leixlip ETNS for September 2023 and 2024.
My Department also acknowledge that it will be proceeding with a master planning exercise of the Coláiste Chiaráin site, with the agreement from the representatives of the existing school, in order to assess the potential to develop a school campus to meet the current and future primary and post primary needs for the area. The outcome of the master plan study will determine the next steps to be taken.
Once a permanent site has been confirmed, a building project to meet the school’s accommodation requirements, can progress to the architectural design and planning stages.
My department will continue to address the interim accommodation required for the school, pending delivery of the permanent accommodation.
Due to the sensitivities involved, it is not possible to provide any further information at this time, however, the school patron of Leixlip ETNS has been informed of the proposed location for the school.
Disadvantaged Status
Questions (258)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:258. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if funding is available for DEIS schools to assist with the cost of school tours; if she will consider implementing such a scheme to assist schools and parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19062/23]
View answerWritten answers
DEIS is the main policy initiative of my Department to tackle educational disadvantage at school level. Schools in the DEIS Programme are required to develop and implement three-year improvement plans as a condition of their participation in DEIS. Targets are set under key themes, such as attendance, retention, progression, literacy and numeracy, partnership, transition, well-being and examination attainment (post-primary).
My Department spends €180m annually in supporting schools in the DEIS programme, of which, over €20m is allocated to schools by way of a DEIS grant.
The DEIS grant should be utilised to attain the targets set in the school's three year improvement plan across the DEIS themes. It is a matter for the Board of Management of each school to allocate DEIS grant funding so that it targets those students deemed most in need. This may include allocating a proportion of the DEIS grant funding towards the cost of the school tour.
School Accommodation
Questions (259)
Paul Kehoe
Question:259. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the status of an application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19064/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval has issued, to the school authority in question, for the provision of 2 x SEN classrooms.
The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. This approach supports accelerated delivery of the accommodation and maximises assistance to the school for this brief, the project will be delivered from the Department’s Procurement Frameworks. A Project Management company will be appointed, from the Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project. This consultant will lead the project through the various stages of planning process and construction. The Department shall also provide additional technical guidance on the provision of SEN accommodation to the Project Managers appointed for this project.
The School Authority has overall responsibility for delivery of the project.
Third Level Costs
Questions (260)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:260. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will respond to points of concerns raised by a trainee psychologist (details supplied) in respect of the proposed changes in funding for trainee educational psychologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19082/23]
View answerWritten answers
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department provides a school-based psychological service to all recognised primary and post-primary schools through the application of psychological theory and practice to support the well-being, and the academic, social and emotional development of all learners.
The NEPS service provides access for schools to:
• Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident
• A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment
• A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and
• Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
This overall approach allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent individual cases and, through supporting school staff, to benefit many more children than could be seen individually.
A working group in the Department has been examining the matter of how NEPS can continue to recruit adequate numbers of suitably qualified staff and continue to respond to the educational psychological needs of children in recognised primary and post-primary schools across the country.
To address supply issues in the medium to long term a workforce plan for educational psychologists is being developed within the Department of Education and work has begun with other Government Departments to advance this. Officials in my Department liaise regularly with the Department of Health, and with Mary Immaculate College and University College Dublin, and, as this work progresses, will continue to do so and to consult with other stakeholders as appropriate.
As an immediate short-term measure the Department introduced a bursary to support Trainee Educational Psychologists currently in their third year (or third year equivalent) of professional training in University College Dublin (UCD) and Mary Immaculate College (MIC), who expect to graduate in 2023.
The working group referred to above has also been asked to make some interim recommendations in Q2 of this year regarding any other short-term measures required in advance of their final report. Funding supports for students of the educational psychological doctorate programme are being considered as part of this process. Officials in my Department are liaising with Mary Immaculate College and University College Dublin in that regard.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (261)
Alan Dillon
Question:261. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if approval and funding can be granted for immediate provision of a three-modular classroom unit to accommodate special needs children (details supplied); if this will be granted before September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19085/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has received an application for additional accommodation from the school referred to by the Deputy. My Department has been in contact with the school authorities in relation to this application and the assessment process is ongoing. A decision will be conveyed to the school authorities as soon as possible.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (262)
Alan Dillon
Question:262. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if additional accommodation space will be allocated for an additional teacher allocated by the NCSE (details supplied); if this will be granted before September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19086/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.
The accommodation needs of the school are being considered and a decision will issue to the school authorities as soon as possible in this regard. I can assure the Deputy that the provision of appropriate accommodation to meet the needs of children with special educational needs is a priority for my Department.
School Transport
Questions (263)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:263. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19088/23]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 4,500 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
For the 2023/2024 school year, reduced charges will apply, mainstream ticket holders will save up to €50 at primary and €275 at post-primary, with an overall reduction in the family maximum contribution of €525 compared to the fees for 2021/2022 school year. This reduction in fees is at a cost of €49m. Children availing of Special Educational Needs Transport and medical card holders eligible for school transport remain exempt from ticket charges.
A review of the School Transport Scheme commenced in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
Significant consultation has been undertaken as part of this review. A public survey was administered for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to. A broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments were all consulted as part of this review.
While work on the review was impacted somewhat by the current conflict in Ukraine, and by the increased demand for the scheme in summer 2022 due to fees being waived, my officials are working to complete the review with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme. Once approved by Government it is planned that the review will be published.
Public Sector Pensions
Questions (264)
Seán Canney
Question:264. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if a teacher (details supplied) is under the pre-2012 pension regime or the post-2012 pension regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19151/23]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned is a member of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, a public sector pension scheme which was introduced in 2013.
The provisions providing for membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme are set out in primary legislation namely at Section 10 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012. In general the Single Scheme applies to persons who commence pensionable public service employment on or after 1 January 2013.
Our records show the person concerned was first employed in the public sector on 18 January 2013. The person concerned has completed a declaration form stating she had no previous public sector employment prior to 01 January 2013 and is therefore correctly a member of the single pension scheme.
School Staff
Questions (265)
Thomas Pringle
Question:265. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education in the situation where a Board of Management has had to refuse an application for an extension to a career break, when the Board can expect a decision from that teacher regarding their position in the school, staying in situ or resigning, as this information is vital for the best interests of the school community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19161/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Education Act 1998, as amended, the school Board of Management, appointed by the Patron of each recognised school, is responsible for the management of a school and its staff. Teachers, in accordance with the Education Act, are employed by the school management authority of each individual school.
The terms and conditions of the Career Break Scheme for teachers, assets.gov.ie/229051/2bcc29cd-6266-47cf-8906-e9ef4ae80ac4.pdf#page=102, are contained in my Department’s Circular Letter 54/2019 (Chapter 7):- assets.gov.ie/31530/18a305c43c954e7d8bcada934e216522.pdf
A Career Break is a period of unpaid special leave for not less than 1 school year. It may be extended on an annual basis provided the total period of the Career Break does not exceed 5 years at any one time, subject to an overall maximum of 10 years absence during a teacher’s career.
A teacher must apply to their employer i.e. school Board of Management, not later than 1 February, if they wish to avail of a Career Break in the following school year. Each application for, or extension of a Career Break is considered on its own merits by the employer, within the context of the school/ETB policy on teacher absences. The employer’s decision on the Career Break application must include a written notice of approval or refusal to the teacher no later than 1 March.
In considering a Career Break application, each employer, must have a policy that takes due regard to the capacity of the school to meet its obligations to its pupils. The welfare and educational needs of the pupils must take precedence over all other considerations and accordingly, must take account of the availability of an appropriate qualified replacement teacher.
A teacher on a Career Break who wishes to resign from their teaching post is required to notify their employer in writing, in accordance with the teacher’s terms of employment. Where a teacher fails to resume duty at the end of their approved period of Career Break, the employer must establish the position with the teacher and take appropriate action. These matters are between the teacher and their employer i.e. Board of Management.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (266)
Robert Troy
Question:266. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details of all expansion and new school buildings planned for schools in Athlone town in order to cater for the rapidly increasing population. [19164/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data in a way that takes account of the significant local and regional variations in demographic trends and enrolment projections, the Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas.
The school planning areas provide a useful means of projecting demographic demand in a localised area or areas, thereby allowing the Department to determine oncoming growth at a relatively localised level to inform recommendations and decisions on where additional school places may be needed. However, there can be a high degree of inward and outward mobility of children between school planning areas, particularly in urban areas, and parents are free to apply to enrol their children in any school, whether that is in the school planning area in which they reside or not.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, My Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential developments in each area.
My Department additionally consults with school patron bodies in order to identify areas with pressures on enrolments.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
In addition to ongoing demographic analyses, my Department continues to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of potential longer-term requirements for educational provision across the country, through the review of the County Development Plans, preparation of Local Area Plans and other relevant statutory planning processes.
The most recent demographic exercise for the Athlone School Planning Area indicates that enrolments at primary level are set to decline slightly since their peak in 2021 while enrolments at Post Primary level are to increase slightly by 2024 and stabilise thereafter.
Whilst there are projects at Primary Level to increase capacity in schools for Athlone Town and the remainder of the School Planning Area, there is also a significant number of projects at Post-Primary schools.
Summerhill National School has been approved 1 Classroom and 2 SET rooms.
Brideswell National School has been approved 2 SET rooms and 2 SEN.
Clonbonny National School has been approved 1 Classroom, 2 SET rooms and an User Assisted WC.
Ard na gCrath has been approved 1 Classroom, 2 SET and 1 ASD class.
My Department is also engaging with St Mary's NS and Cornamaddy NS in respect of their accommodation needs.
A new school building for Coláiste Chiaráin, Summerhill, Athlone opened in September 2020. The school has capacity for 1,000 mainstream pupils as well accommodation for pupils with special educational needs. Current enrolment is 730 pupils.
The development of a new school building for Marist College on the school’s existing site at Retreat Road is also planned. The building, when constructed, will provide capacity for 750 mainstream pupils as well as accommodation for pupils with special educational needs. The project is currently at Project Brief Stage. Current enrolment is 572 pupils.
Athlone Community College is additionally to increase capacity from 1000 pupils to 1200 pupils.
In addition to ongoing demographic analyses, my Department continues to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of potential longer-term requirements for educational provision across the country, through the review of the County Development Plans, preparation of Local Area Plans and other relevant statutory planning processes. In its County Development Plan 2021-2027, Westmeath County Council stated that it is an objective of the Local Authority to prepare a Joint Urban Area Plan for Athlone, in conjunction with Roscommon County Council. It was recognised that the educational accommodation requirements for Athlone are most appropriately considered as part of this proposed joint plan. My Department is awaiting publication of the proposed plan and will engage with both Local Authorities accordingly.
School Equipment
Questions (267)
Holly Cairns
Question:267. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education her views on a school having a mandatory scheme requiring students to purchase a particular type of educational aid through a specific company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19182/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators and parents in relation to costs of digital technology, including tablets, and my Department continues to work to help support schools and families meet these costs. In 2017 a circular letter issued to schools with measures to be adopted to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs including such ICT devices: assets.gov.ie/12695/2045e7ccec684f72b55d93930e45372c.pdf
This circular also instructed schools to consult with parents and their school community on the issue of ensuring costs are reasonable for parents, and how to avoid costs acting as a barrier. This circular specified that wherever possible, generic rather than branded items should be specified (e.g. uniform, clothing, IT tablets, sports equipment etc.).
Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is a matter for the Board of Management of each school in the context of their digital learning planning. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices with cost and other implications been fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made.
Schools, in conjunction with parents, are responsible for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops, and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice reflective of their own context and requirements.
The Professional Development Service for Teachers Technology in Education (PDST-TIE) offers advice and supports to schools on digital learning. Advice sheets are available on digital technology in education, including on the adoption of laptops and tablets in schools.
The Digital Strategy for Schools 2027, which builds on the progress made under the previous Digital Strategy, will be underpinned by an investment of some €200m subject to the available exchequer funding, and was included in the National Development Plan 2021-2030. The first tranche of the successor Digital Strategy ICT grant funding issued to schools in December 2021. This funding issued directly to schools as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way. This can include the purchase of ICT devices such as tablets, hybrid devices, or laptops.
In addition, the Department as part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) under Next Generation EU funding facility, issued a once-off grant of €50million in December 2021 to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme in order to support those learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide,
Details of the Grant Scheme for EU NRRP Funding to schools to address the digital divide, and learners at risk of educational disadvantage which can be found at:
www.gov.ie/en/circular/b4fea-grant-scheme-for-eu-nrrp-funding-to-schools-to-address-the-digital-divide-and-learners-at-risk-of-educational-disadvantage/
This funding issued directly to schools as they were best placed to determine the needs of their own students and have autonomy to do so, within the criteria applying to this funding. This can include establishing schemes to loan devices to students, and this also applies to Digital Strategy Grant funding.
Ukraine War
Questions (268)
Alan Kelly
Question:268. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown of the number of Ukrainian students being taken in by both primary and secondary schools across each Dublin postal district, in tabular form. [19230/23]
View answerWritten answers
The number of Ukrainian students enrolled in schools is set out by county in the table below, at primary and post-primary level, as of 31 March 2023. I regret that I am not in a position to provide statistics at the level of detail requested by the Deputy at this time.
My Department continues to publish figures on the enrolment of Ukrainian children each month. The latest press release of 5 April 2023 is available here: gov.ie - Department of Education confirms 15,282 Ukrainian pupils currently enrolled in Irish schools (www.gov.ie).
The Deputy may also wish to note that the CSO also publishes data on Ukrainian arrivals and enrolments on their database, data.cso.ie on a weekly basis, and the latest data available there is as of 5 April.
Enrolments by county as of 31 March 2023
|
County |
Primary |
Post-primary |
|
Carlow |
138 |
74 |
|
Cavan |
231 |
99 |
|
Clare |
595 |
347 |
|
Cork |
1058 |
525 |
|
Donegal |
838 |
458 |
|
Dublin |
1205 |
681 |
|
Galway |
615 |
332 |
|
Kerry |
1011 |
551 |
|
Kildare |
153 |
94 |
|
Kilkenny |
168 |
118 |
|
Laois |
133 |
88 |
|
Leitrim |
213 |
128 |
|
Limerick |
328 |
206 |
|
Longford |
61 |
56 |
|
Louth |
267 |
177 |
|
Mayo |
521 |
277 |
|
Meath |
289 |
131 |
|
Monaghan |
70 |
32 |
|
Offaly |
114 |
43 |
|
Roscommon |
166 |
61 |
|
Sligo |
232 |
157 |
|
Tipperary |
205 |
130 |
|
Waterford |
265 |
146 |
|
Westmeath |
197 |
89 |
|
Wexford |
501 |
235 |
|
Wicklow |
303 |
170 |
|
Total |
9,877 |
5,405 |
Special Educational Needs
Questions (269)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:269. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on plans to build the ASD pod at Dungarvan College, County Waterford; when she expects the pod to be open to students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19272/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval has issued for the provision of 1 x SEN classroom at the school referred, to cater for enrolments.
The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. This approach supports accelerated delivery of the accommodation and maximises assistance to the school for this brief, the project will be delivered from the Department’s Procurement Frameworks. A Project Management company will be appointed, from the Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project. This consultant will lead the project through the various stages of planning process and construction.
The School Authority has overall responsibility for delivery of the project.
School Enrolments
Questions (270)
Réada Cronin
Question:270. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education for an update on the urgently awaited news of school places for children in Kilcock; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19285/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for my Department.
In order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in Kilcock, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
Through close engagement with school patrons and authorities, my Department has established a requirement for additional school places at primary and post primary level in Kilcock. Engagement is ongoing with schools and patrons with a view to making increased provision where necessary. It is expected that these places will become available imminently.